Context Sheet

Below is my context sheet for my project, I have chosen a selection of images that show my journey through the project, including my inspiration, sampling, digital work and final outcomes. I enjoyed putting this sheet together, as it allowed me to realise and reflect on how I got to the final design. 

Strong Image

As my strong image that is to be shown on the screen on Oxford Road I have chosen the image below. I decided to choose this photo as when combined with my visualisation it shows a close up of what the final outlook could look like. I like the details and the shadows, as well as the colours, which reflect the colours of the Manchester Metro Map. It will be interesting ( and a bit nerve racking!) to see how it looks once it is up on the big screen.

Final Visualisation

After struggling to get the desired effect with my visualisations, I had another attempt focusing more on creating a sculptural wall piece. In a digital session, Mary helped me to create a pattern using my folded paper designs which were then placed in situ in the new build, using an artists impressions photo.  I prefer this visualisation as it shows what I want to achieve as well as looking more professional than my previous attempts.  I decided to place it in the reception area as it relates back to the use of maps in my projects of arriving somewhere new and not knowing where to go, therefore needing a map to guide you. The build up of layers on the image too reminds me of maps when the relief is show of hills or mountains.

Displaying My Piece...

I've started to thinking about different ways in which to arrange my sculptural piece. I did a few quick sketches to illustrated how it could be displayed. I definitely like the idea of hanging, whether in space or against a wall. I also like the idea of bringing light into it somehow, maybe arranged a around a hanging light bulb (bottom left sketch) or having light behind it, such as a window or using artifical light that will shine through the piece and create a interesting effect and shadows. 

Mia Pearlman

Having just changed my idea for my final proposal, I saw that Hannah had posted about the artist american Mia Pearlman on the group blog and I really like her work. I feel that it is along the lines of how I envisage my final piece to look if it was to be made. Her paper installations have a similar look to my work in that it is very sculptural and plays with form and I like the draping look to it whilst still being a solid structure. I love how they go from wall to ceiling and onto the floor, something that I will consider for my piece and think could look could in the new building where the walls are very high,a sculptural piece could help to close the space down and make it feel more intimate in areas. 

More Visualisation Work...

Whilst working on my visualisations and playing around with different ways of arranging and photographing my folded paper designs I started to think that maybe my ideas were not that suited to a room divider but something more sculptural. They have become alot more 3D and form based, which are not what a room divider is about. I like how they lay on top of eachother and drape in different ways. I started to play around more with my ideas and the more I did the more I realised that a sculptural form was more suitable as my final outcome. Thinking about my idea practically, a wall divider made of paper may not have been the most suitable as its likely to have not withstood the wear and tear of being used constantly.  Here are some of the photos that helped me to conclude that a a sculptural piece/ wall piece was what I wanted to do.

My Visualisations

I went to the new Business School here at MMU to photogrpah the interiors as this is similar in style to what the new art school will look like, and could work well as a background to my visualisations. I started to play around by putting my ideas into the space...

This was my first attempt at a visualisation using Photoshop. The background is one of the images I took inside the Business School and then had a pixelated effect added. It looks too much like I have just put my designs on top and looks too solid and structured. 

I then tried using a photo taken from the Living It groups visit inside the new build, as it gives the feeling of the new space. My paper designs all look too neat and perfect here which is not how i envisaged them to be at all. 

This was my next attempt, although it looks a little bit less forced and it place it still looks too perfect to me. I feel like I need to play around with my ideas a little bit more and see what happens and if a better outcome can be achieved. 

My Work...

 Not knowing what to do with the prints I have created I started to think in what other ways I could manipulate the paper to make a more interesting room divider. I immediately thought of origami, so I looked at he various ways in which different shapes were made. I Started to play around with paper, folding it and cutting it in different ways and this is what turned out....

My Work...

Having printed the scanned images ( that were then manipulated in Photoshop) on A1 I wanted to do more with them to make them more interesting and attractive, so I screen printed onto them. Although I like the pattern and design, I do not like the quality produced. When printing onto the tracing paper with the procion dyes, the paper tended to ruffle when it dried so a completely smooth surface wasn't created. I tried to press this out, but the crispness of the tracing paper never came back and I could get smooth finish. I carried on working into them more in the  machine room, using the embroidery foot and the pin tuck foot to achieve parallel lines. I really like the effect the stitch gives, as it reminds me more of the original lines on the maps and adds a bit of texture to the paper. Using the A1 tracing paper on the sewing machines was a bit of a challenge as it isnt as easily manipulated as fabric, I lost a bit of the crispness of the paper from the folding and crumpling I had to do in order for it to fit under the needle.

Room Divider

I have done some more research, as I have decided that it is a room divider that I’d like to propose. I have decided upon this over a blind as I feel that as the new building is so open plan that to be able to make it feel more intimate when need will be very beneficial while still having the feeling of space.

Here are a few more images that are helping me to design and think of ideas for a new room divider. I have chosen these because they split a room up, but are not solid walls which ensures the feeling of space is maintained while still adding the feeling of closing the room down to a smaller space. 

I really like the simple graphic pattern created by this room divider by Apartment Therapy, which has been made using old painted vinyls.  

'MOLO' have created a room divider with a honeycomb design that can be easily moved and  stretched up to  4.5 metres. I like the innovative use of cardboard that has been developed to created a simple but elegant design. 

This wall divider, by 'The Brick House' , made using rope cleverly splits the room in two while still keeping the room as one.